On Friday, an exciting new movie hits theaters -- one that has the power to change the way we see John Kerry forever. Going Upriver: The Long War of John Kerry is a beautiful and inspiring portrait of Kerry and Vietnam, but it's bigger than that: it's a gripping, powerful film about how our country wrestles with war. It's vivid without being confrontational -- a political movie you can bring your Republican uncle to -- and it has received great reviews from some of the nation's top film critics. You've got to see it.
You can check out the trailer online at:
goingupriver.com
Then, if you live near one of the theaters where the film is opening this weekend, please bring your friends and family and join us in packing the seats Friday night. We're going to launch this movie with a bang. Find out where the film is playing in your state:
goingupriver.com
Two months ago, we brought our friends and family members to theaters across the country and helped make Fahrenheit 9/11 the most successful documentary of all time. Fahrenheit 9/11 laid out the Bush administration's flaws and failings in a way that fundamentally changed how many Americans see President Bush.
Going Upriver doesn't have the controversy and marketing muscle behind it that Fahrenheit 9/11 did. But everyone we know who's seen it has been moved and surprised by its power. It's a word-of-mouth phenomenon waiting to happen, but it's up to us, together, to make it a success when it first hits theaters this Friday.
Critical acclaim for Going Upriver includes the praise from Time Magazine, The New York Times, and Entertainment Weekly, which gave the film an "A" and said:
"This potent and eye-opening documentaryEhows us what the media has presented only in fragmentary glimpses: a compelling, blow-by-blow account of John Kerry's service in Vietnam -- and, more than that, the full revealing chronicle of how he ultimately came together with hundreds of his comrades to form Vietnam Veterans Against the War."...
"[P]art of what makes Going Upriver so moving is the tremulous sight of how close these protesters felt to all the soldiers still at war...Anyone who sees Going Upriver will find it hard to argue that what happened close to 35 years ago no longer matters in America today."[1]
The Bush campaign has tried to make voters believe that John Kerry doesn't have what it takes to defend America.
But the John Kerry we know has tremendous heart and determination. As Going Upriver affirms, Kerry not only bravely risked his life serving on Swift Boats in Vietnam, but, upon his return to America, he refused to abandon the men still fighting. Despite vicious personal attacks, John Kerry courageously spoke out to end a war he knew was wrong.
That's the kind of leadership we want in our president.
Make your plans to see this movie now, and round up any friends and family who could use a little inspiration. This film delivers plenty.
Sincerely,
--Adam, Eli, Hannah, James, Laura, and the whole MoveOn PAC Team
September 29, 2004
P.S. The DVD of Going Upriver comes out on October 15th. If you can't make it to see the film in theaters, you can pre-order a DVD online at:
goingupriver.com
Footnotes:
[1] Going Upriver: The Long War of John Kerry, Entertainment Weekly, Sept. 28, 2004, ew.com |
